Ammunition and firearm



Sept. 13, 1938. H. RosT AMMUNITION AND FIREARM 2 sheets-sheet -1 Filed llay 25, 1935 -mMN ,a

n. rid..

Heu/gva /fQs'' r lNvENToR ATTORNEY,

Sept. l13, 1938. H. Ros-r 2,129,875

AMMUNITION AND FIREARM l Filed Hay 25, 1935 `2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q l-m mvENTQR 4 ATToRNEY Pafemeldlsept. 13, 193s UNITED STATES im'rizii'rV oFFicE 21 claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in firearms of the so-called powderless type and has reference as Well to a particular ammunition used in connection therewith. 4

An object of this invention is to provide a new lexplosive charge for firearms of the character hereinafter described, which will have considerably higher explosive powers than ordinary gun powder and the like, and which can be manu- -factured more cheaply than 'other types of eX- plosives used for the same purpose.

Another object of this invention is to` provide an explosive charge of this character, which will be unaffected by shock, friction and temperature, and which will not deteriorate when stored for an indefinite period.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an explosive charge which will be free from all danger of self-ignition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new type of cartridge which will contain an exy plosive charge of the character hereinafter described and which will consequently have all of the advantages inherent in the particular charge used therein.

Still another object of this invention is to pro,- vide a construction for a firearm which is particularly adapted foruse in connection with myy new type of cartridge.

I accomplish these objects by means of the hand, of an oxygen-liberating compound, as for' instance chlorate of potassium. By varying the proportions of these two ingredients constituting4 the explosive charge, varying degrees of the speed of combustion may be obtained.'

"According to the present invention the gasoline is injected into a compartment of .the gun barrel forming a combustion chamber and the oxygen-liberating compound is either placed in the combustion chamber or disposed inside a cartridge. In the latter case, provision is made for ready admission of the gasoline to the oxygen-liberatingcompound which may be accomplished by perforating the cartridge. Upon compression of the air and atomization of the fuel,

the fuel-air mixture will penetrate into and mingle with the oxygen-liberating compound. In this construction ignition may be produced by electric sparks or by a suiiicient compression of the air and the gaseous fuel, while the temperature is raised to a point where spontaneous combustion will occur.

Instead of disposing the oxygen-liberating compou'nd within the cartridge and injecting the gasoline from the outside, both the oxygen-liberating compound and the gasoline may be disposed 10 in separate' compartments inside the cartridge. Ignition may be producedby any known means. Thus, in the case where both explosive substances are disposed within the cartridge, ignition can be produced by means of the usual firing pin l5 striking a fuse cap provided on the bottom of the shell.

' According to this invention the combustion of the explosive charge is greatly accelerated due to the oxygen-liberating compound which, under 20 pressure, will decompose rapidly at raised temperatures, liberating the vital oxygen. The latter together with the oxygen contained in the compressed air accelerates the combustion of the hydrocarbons. 25

Another advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that complete combustion takes place inside the gun barrel when a shot is fired. It is a well known fact that ordinarily a burst of flames issues forth from the mouth of the gun 30 barrel when a shot is fired because the unburnt gases, when expelled from the gun absorb oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere. However, when using cartridges in accordance with the present invention, the burst of flames and the 35 attendant flash of light will be lacking completely because complete combustion will take place inside the gun barrel. The flashes of light ordinarily produced when a shot is fired can be seen from a great distance, particularly at night 40 l time. This constitutes a grave strategic disadvantage in that the flashes of light betray the position of the gun. All such danger is over- Y come by the present invention.

some idea of the great superiority of the ammunition of the present invention.

B. t. u. per pound The great advantages of this invention will be still more apparent when considering the fact that chlorates for explosive purposes are much cheaper than I other explosives (the cost of chlorate being about half of that of dynamite) and that pure chlorate can be manufactured and transported with incomparably greater safety than ordinary explosives generally employed in the armament industries today. Hydrocarbons, on the other hand, are available everywhere at low cost.V

The present invention is applicable to all types of ammunition and firearms. It may be used in connection with simple, hand-operated singleshot guns with the same advantages as in the case of automatic rapid firing guns and ordnances of every caliber.

'I'he recoil energy developed when the gun is fired may be utilized for feeding ammunition and f'uel, or for compressing air, cooling the explosion chamber and for similar purposes. Various spring arrangements, as well as hydraulic and pneumatic arrangements may also be combined with the present invention.

Several embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the breech of a gun which is provided with a combustion chamber and a spark plug;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through' the breech of a similar gun construction modifled to include a ring pin;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the type of ammunition shown in Figure l;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the type of ammunition shown inv Figure 2;

Figure 51s a view partly in elevation and partly` in section of one form of cartridge according to the present invention;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views of modied forms of the cartridge according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of a gun and cartridge with cooling system in accordance with this invention.

The gun In the drawings, I denotes a gun barrel attached to the casing 315 which is provided with a `loading chamber 5. The latter has av loading aperture 2 and a conical extension adjacent the rear end of the barrel I. A hollow cylinder 3 is provided with a conical head 6 and is movably disposed in the loading chamber 5, head 6 fitting tightly into the conical'extension thereof. This hollow cylinder 3 which constitutes the breech of the gun is provided with packing rings 4 to prevent -escape of air and gas from the loading (chamber 5 into the cylinder 3 or vice versa. A sparkl plug I0 and a fuel injector II open into the conical 'extension' of the loading chamber. Conical head 6 is provided with openings 'I and 8 allowing the discharge of sparks and fuel, respecand against the interior of the cylinder 3 by a movable piston I9. Piston rod 2l serves for actuating the piston i9 inside the cylinder 3.l Piston rings 20 are provided on the piston I9 to prevent air or gas from passing from the combustion chamber 9 to the interior of the cylinder 3. Washers 22, 26 and 2l are solidly attached to the rod 2l and serve for guiding the same inside the cylinder 3. AThe latter is provided with a slot 25' permitting back and forth movement of the handle 23 which is integrally attached to a washer 22 and serves for actuating the piston I9 Within.the casing 3. Washer 22 also comprises a downward projection 2d provided with an aperture 25 which 'is adapted to engage a lock spring 30 attached to the cylinder 3. When the handle 23 is moved to the right so that washer 22 and extension 213 take the position 3i indicated in dotted lines, lock spring 30 will lock the extension 2d, and with it the piston I9 to the cylinder 3, so that continued movement of the-handle 23 to the right will result in a joint movement of the piston I9 and the movable cylinder 3 interlocked therewith. 33-designates the furthest righthand position to which the cylinder 3 and the piston I9 may be moved. In this position the loading aperture 2 of the loading chamber 5 will be fully exposed. Cylinder 3 is provided with an internal cylinder head 28 with which is associated pressure spring 29 exerting a forward pressure cn the Washer 22. Washer 27 is attached tao the end of the rod 2l and forms a stop to the leftward movement o f the piston I9. Spring 32 exerts a forward pressure on the cylinder head 28 urging they cylinder 3 to the left. Springs 29 and 32 in conjunction with the preliminary independent backward movement of the piston I9 will assure suicient absorption of the recoil shock to produce smooth operation of the gun. 'I'he loading aperture 2 may be kept open by means of a locking device (not shown) retaining the cylinder 3 in its extreme righthand position. No such lock' ing device will be needed in the case where the ammunition is fed automatically. The downward projection 2li may be employed for actuating a fuel supply pump. In Figure 1, 35 desig-- nates the plunger of the pump, 36 constitutes the piston and 31 and 38 represent the admission and delivery valves, respectively, of the pump. Fuel is fed through a connection piece 30'. 40 represents a filter disposed near the connection piece 40. The parts of the gun surrounding the combustion chambers are provided with cooling fins il consisting of a material of high thermal conductivity, e. g. aluminum.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a projectile I2 is inserted in the gunY barrel I. Projectile I2 is supported by a shell I4 containing a porous oxygen-liberating cartridge' or stick I5. The copper strip I3 attached to the projectile I2 serves the double purpose of providing a tight seal against the escape of gases from the combustion chamber 9, on the one hand, and for imparting a rotary movement to the projectile I2 on its travel through the-ried gun barrel I, on the other hand. The shell I4 is provided with a closure disc I1 having perforations I8 for the purpose of admitting fuel to the oxygen-liberatingstick contained therein. Channel I6 extending through the stick I5 assures ready distribution of the injected fuel.

The mode of operation of the gun illustrated in Figure 1 is as follows:

The loading chamber 5 is exposed by moving handle 23 to the right. In the position 3|, shown vided in the piston 41.

tached to the piston 41 to make a tight seal bein dotted lines, the lock spring 30 entering the aperture 25 of projection 24 will lock the piston rod 2| to the cylinder 3 which will be carried along when the movement of the handle 23 is continued, Ammunition is then loaded through the loading aperture 2, the handle 23,.-piston I9 and cylinder 3 are moved to the left t'o place the projectile I2 infring position, as shown in Figure 1. Simultaneously therewith, the air in the combustion chamber 9 is compressed. due to the forwardstroke of the piston I9. At the same time, projection 24 actuates the plunger 35 of the fuel pump causing injection of fuelinto the combustion chamber 9. The atomized fuel and compressed air mixture penetrates' into oxygenliberating cartridge I5 and the combustion mixture is ignited by means of spark plug I0.

The gun construction illustrated in Figure 2 closely resembles that of Figure 1. The main difference between the two constructions resides in the fact that the construction shown in Figure 2 is adapted for use with a different type of cartridge. Instead of a spark plug, the gun is provided with a firing pin 48. The following is a detailed description of Figure 2.

In this construction, 42 designates theY compression chamber which is provided with an aperture 45 for the injection of fuel from the fuel injector I I. The gun breech is formed by a. movable cylinder 44 which is provided with piton rings 46 serving as gas checks. Piston 41 moving -within the cylinder 44 comprises a firing pin 48 which is movably disposed in a cavity 49 pro- Piston rings 50 are at- Wall of the shell I4 is kept in position by studs` 52 of the shell. Instead of the cooling fins 4I of the construction shown in Figure l, Figure 2 comprises a cooling jacket 54 having an expansion chamber 55 andan inlet opening 56 for the cooling medium.

The operation -of the gun shown in Figure 2 is the same as that of Figure 1, except that in this gun the projectile is firedl by rlng pin 48 striking the fuse cap 5I. f I

The cooling arrangement forms an'important part of the present invention because of the high thermal energies developed during combustion of the hydrocarbons in the,presence of oxygen. In

rapid :lire machine guns the use of an'eflicient breech lock piston. `'I'he latter is attached to' a. rcd |04 which also carries a compressor piston |05 cooperating with compression chamber |06. Air is supplied to the compression chamber |06 by an intake-valve |01 and fed to a compressed air tank |09 through valve I 08. Expansion valve II 0 is interposed between tank |09 and the exmaterial.

pansion and cooling chamber III surrounding the combustion chamber I 02. YThe spent air is returned to the outeratmosphere through an outlet |I2.

The cooling system operates as follows: When a shot is ilred, the breech lock piston |03 moves to the right, causing compressor piston |06 to compress the air stored in the compression chamber |06. The air thus compressed is delivered to compressed air tank |09 whence it is conveyed to the expansion chamber III through valve IIO. The latter should be adiusted in such a way that the amount of air allowed to pass through per time unit will correspond to the amount of air compressed per time unit. The air having passed the expansion valve IIO is allowed to expand suddenly in the'expansion chamber III whereby the temperature of the air Is considerably reduced. The expansion chamber surrounds those parts of the gun that are subjected to the greatest amount of heat,namely, the combustion chamber |02 and the rear end of the barrel |00. 'I'he latter are effectively cooled by the steady streams of cool air circulating in the expansion chamber III. After passing through the expansion chamber- I I I, the air is returned to the outer atmosphere through outlet II2.

It will be obvious that instead of atmospheric 4air as a cooling medium, a closed system using any kind of gas or liquid adapted for refrigeration may be used. In such a modification, the recoil action of the breech may be utilized in a similar manner.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 the recoil action of the movable breech is used for operating the cooling mechanism. An object of this invention is to use the recoil action of the gun generally and I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the exact construction shown in Fig. 9. Thus, besides the breech, any part of the gun performing a recoil movement when a shot is fired may be utilized for actuat-4 ing the cooling mechanism.

Figure 3 is abottom pian view of the type of cartridge shown in Figure l. 58 designates the closure disc which preferably consists of fibrous Disc 58 is embraced by the shell wall 51 and provided with apertures 59 for establishadjusted..tha`t a uniform pressure equalling the mechanical resistance for which the gun was constructed is maintained in the gun untilthe projectile has left the muzzle.. This result may be obtained by so proportioning the oxygen-liberating compound with respectto the hydrocarbon compound that combustion takes place step-wise and a fairly constant pressure will prevail in the barrel even after the projectile is started on its Way. This feature may be further extended, in accordance with the present invention, by continuing injection of fuel into the combustion chamber after commencement of combustion. Of course, this continued fuel injection will only be possible where the injectors and fuel admission valves are of suihciently strong construction to withstand the high pressures developed during explosion.

Another method of obtaining the same result consists in exploding successively secondary or additional charges provided in the rear of the projectile. A projectile will serve this purpose best if its rear portion is constructed as a hollow shell open at its end and lled with explosives which will ignite shortly after theprojectile is started on its way. Ignition for these secondary charges may be produced either by the high pressure of the original charge or by means of a timing. device. If secondary charges are us'ed ignition may either take place while the projectile is still in the barrel or it may be deferred until after the projectile has left the barrel. In the latter case the projectile will behave as a skyrocket, propulsion resulting from the counterpressure of the escaping gases. In such projectiles the secondary charges should be separated securely from the main ring charge.

An outstanding advantage produced by the guns of the present invention is the uniform velocity imparted to the projectile. By increasing the size of the combustion chamber throughout the barrel, by deferred combustion and successive explosions, a constant pressure of expanding `gases may be obtained throughout the barrel which will be lower than the pressure present in ordinary guns in which a single explosion occurs. Owing to this constant pressure the guns of the present invention give the projectile an ideal, uniform velocity. In addition, heavier'projectiles may be used, yet the range of the gun and the penetrating power -of the projectiles will be increased.

Another advantage of this invention is the use of a movable plunger and cylinder whereby the gun is made to operate on the same principle as a four-cycle explosion `motor. The fact that there is no practical limit to the length of the plunger stroke also deserves consideration, particularly if guns are operated at varying altitudes, having a different density of air. In such cases higher compression of the air will be a decided advantage.

The firearms described hereinbefore and illustrated in the drawings represent simple handoperated guns. It is obvious that the features of those constructions may be readily transferred to al1 kinds of guns such as automatic machine connection with guns, cannons and ordnances of any and every caliber.

. Ammunition J The following is a description of the new type of ammunition according to the present invention, which is adapted particularly for use in the ireanns hereinbefore described.

The cartridge shown in Figurey 5 comprises a Shell 62 containing a porous oxygen-liberating stick 66 consisting, for instance, of chlorate or perchlorate of potassium, sodium or ammonium; Closure disc 64 provided with apertures 65 rests on studs 63 of the shell 62. 61 is a solid disc separating the interior of the shell 62 from the interior of the projectile 6|. 66 designates a channel penetrating through the oxygen-liberating stick 66 and providing ready access thereto.-

Metal rings 6I' disposed on the `projectile 6| serve as gas checks and for imparting rotation to the projectile. Projectile 6| comprises a fuse cap 68 and a -plurality of explosive charges 69 separated from one another by discs 10. 69, Bland 18 preferably consist-of broug rial.

The projectile is red by causing the oxygenmate- Discs andere liberating stick 66 to absorb a combustible containing a hydrocarbon or a derivative such as gasoline, kerosene, gas oil, crude oil, mononitrotoluol, mononitrobenzol, or a solid, liquid or gaseous combustible of suitable composition. If

gasoline is used it will be admitted under proper pressure to oxygen-liberating stick 6B through perforations 55 and the channel T5S'. The combustible mixture thus obtained may be ignited by means of sparks or by raising the temperature sufficiently to produce spontaneous combustion. Combustion within the shell 62 will eject the projectile 6| and set olf the fuse cap 68 causing successive explosion of the charges 69 contained in the projectile. y

The cartridge shown in Figure 6 comprises a shell 'F2 containing an oxygen-liberating stick l5 and a vessel hl consisting for instance of gelatine and containing a hydrocarbon derivative such as liquid gasoline or kerosene or a combustible oil, or a carbon powderor a gaseous fuel-like acetylene. 'i6 designates the combustion chamber inside the shell l2. The latter is closed at its bottom by a, solid closure disc 13' provided with a fuse cap 13. For firing this projectile no explosive need be admitted from the outside. The projectile is red by striking the fuse cap 'H3 causing a vessel 19 to break, whereby the gasoline or other hydrocarbon contained therein is released and mixes with the oxygen-liberating compound. The resulting mixture when ignited produces combustion.

Figure '7 shows a projectile Tl provided with a cavity 18 containing a hydrocarbon. The oxygen-liberating stick 82 is disposed in the combustion chamber 83 of shell 80. 19 designates a seal closing cavity 18, and 8| is the fuse cap provided on the solid closure disc 8| at the bottom of the shell 80. The projectile is fired by striking the fuse cap 8| causing rupture of the seal 19. Combustion will result when the hydrocarbon contained in the cavity 78 penetrates into and mixes with the oxygen-liberating stick 82, ignition being produced by the flame of the exploding fuse cap.

Figure 8 shows a projectile 84 'carried by a shell 88 containing the oxygen-liberating stick 9|. 92 designates the combustion chamber of the shell 88, 89 represents a fuse cap and 90 is a channel extending through the oxygen-liberating stick 9|. The projectile 89 is provided with a hydrocarbon containing a cavity 86 which is sep- 'arated from the remaining parts of the projectile by a solid wall 85 and from the interior of the shell B8 by a seal 81. 94 designates a second oxygen-liberating stick which is placed adjacent' to a. hydrocarbon vessel 93 disposed in a combustion chamber 95. Shrapnel balls 96 are disposed in the forepart of the projectile 851 which 'is penetrated by a time fuse channel 91 leading to a fuse cap 99. A timing device of known construction is disposed at 98.

By striking the fuse cap 89 the seal 81 is broken and the content of the cavity 86 mixes with the oxygen-liberating stick 9| which mixture, when ignited, causes combustion which will result in the ejection of the projectile 84. Then, the time fuse 9,1 actuates fuse cap 99 causing the hydrocarbons contained in the-vessel 93 to react with the oxygen-liberating stick 99. 'Ihe resultingV explosion will burst the walls of the projectile 84, dischargingthe shrapnel balls 96 contained therein.

In the type of cartridge illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, gaseous fuel may also be used, e. g.,

. gun has been closed.

acetylene and acetone under pressure may be employed to advantage. The acetone, acting as a solvent of ,acetylene minimizes the danger of explosion. Gaseous fuels may either be filled up in separate vessels and disposed at the rear of `the projectile or the projectile proper may be provided with a rear chamber in which compressed gases may be stored. The gases are liberated when the gun is red. This may be done for instance by striking a fuse cap. 'I'he liberated gases will react with the oxygen-liberating compound when the charge is ignited. Continuous combustion may be achieved by storing in the projectile a sufcient quantity of compressed gaseous fuel and allowing the same to escape gradually. Such continuous combustion will produce a constant pressure in the gun barrel which will .be maintained until the projectile has left the barrel.

The arrangements herein described may equally well be used' for shell bursting charges, shrap.- nels and the like as shown in Figure 8. 1n such case, 'care must be taken that a solid separation Wall such as 85 separates the bursting charge from the propelling charge. charge is provided, the rear part of the projectile may be utilized of course for bursting purposes. Explosion for `the bursting charge may be produced by any known means such as a timefuse, percussion cap or the like.

The present invention affords many great advantages. Pure chlorate of potassium for instance, which is preferably used as oxygenliberating substance, is practically insensitive to friction and shock. Experiments have demonstrated this fact: for instance, a 20 lb. weight was dropped upon pure chlorate of potassium from a height of more than thirty feet without producing explosion. Moreover; chlorate is not hydroscopic, nor is it sensitive to cold. It may be stored indefinitely vand will not decompose, differing herein particularly from ammonium or nitrogen-containing explosives. Chlorate is cheaper than any other`-explosive of the same potential energy and may now be manufactured on 'a large scale by electrolytic processes utilizing solutions of chloride of potassium or sodium. The large quantities of electric energy used up in those processes may properly be saidto be stored in the chlorate produced, ready to` be given up instantaneously when the chlorate is combined with a hydrocarbon under pressure at raised temperature. The combination'of these two chemicals create ,tremendous energies which compare most favorably with the energy produced by the common explosives now in use. Finally, it should be observed that the use of the combined explosive according to the present invention removes almost completely all danger of premature explosion in the gun because thev two components of the explosive charge arel really not explosive until they combine under pressure. But according to the present invention injection and compression of the mixture can take place only after I claim:

1'. The combination with a firearm comprising a closed chamber chamber, of a cartridge disposed inside the rearm and comprising an oxygen liberating compound, and means for combining the latter with the combustible inside Vthe firearm to produce explosion.

2. A firearm comprising a receiving means, an.

If no propelling A VPart of said cylinder the loading chamber of the and a combustible in said oxygen liberating compound disposed thereinan injector associated with the firearm, and a combustible adapted to be injected by said injector into said receiving means and to react with the oxygen liberating compound contained therein and means to ignite the mixed combustible and oxygen liberating compound, to produce explosion.

3. The combination with a firearm comprising a combustion chamber, an injector and a combustible adapted to be injected thereby into the combustion chamber, of a projectile disposed adjacent to said combustion chamber and comprising an oxygen liberating compoundadapted toI react with the combustible to produce explosion..

4. 'I'he combination claimed in claim 3, comprising means for producing ignition in the combustion chamber.

5. The combination claimed in claim 3, in

` which said firearm comprises a firing device and the said projectile is provided with a ring means adapted to be operated by said firing device.

6. The combination with a rearm comprising a closed chamber and a combustible disposed in said chamber and consisting of a substance belonging to the class of hydrocarbons, of a cartridge disposed in proximity to said chamber and comprising an oxygen liberating compound adapted to combine with the said combustible inside the firearm to produce explosion.

7. The combination with a rearm comprising a combustible consisting of liquid gasoline, of a cartridge carrying a. charge consisting of dry chlorate of potassium disposed close to said gasoline and adapted to combine with the s ame inside the firearm toproduce explosion.

8. 'Ihe combination of a rearm with a composite explosive charge therefor, consisting of a liquid combustible and an oxygen liberating compound separated from each other. and means'for combining and ignlting the said combustible and the oxygen liberating compound inside the ilrearm to produce explosion, said liquid combustible being a substancebelonging to the class of hydrocarbons.

9. A ilrearm comprising a casing provided with a loading chamber, a barrel supported by the casing, a breech consisting of a hollow cylinder movably disposed in said loading chamber, a 'piston disposed in said cylinder and movably mounted with respect to the barrel, the forward part of said cylinder forming a combustion chamber.

10. A nrearm comprising a casing provided with a loading chamber, a barrel supported by said casing, a breech consisting of a hollow cylinder movably disposed in said loading chamber, a plunger disposed in said cylinder and movably mounted with respect to the barrel, the forward forming a combustion chamber,` and a fuel injector adapted to inject fuel to the interior of said combustion chamber.

11. A nrearm as claimed in claim 10, in vwhich said cylinder is provided with a locking member and said plunger is provided with means engageable with said locking member for interlocking the said cylinder and plunger.

12. A firearm as claimed in claim 10. in which said fuel yinjector includes a fuel pump and said movable plunger comprises means for actuating said pump when the plunger is moved.

13. Ina rearm as claimed in claim 10, a spark plug for igniting the charge contained in the said gases, a locking member disposed on said cylinder, means attached to said plunger and engageable by said locking member, and actuating means for moving the'said plunger.

11i. A iirearm as claimed in claim 10, comprising cooling means disposed adjacent to the said combustion chamber of the firearm.

15. A -rearm comprising a casing provided with a loading chamber, a barrel supported by Said casing, a breech consisting of a hollow cylinder movably disposed in said loading chamber, a plunger movable in said cylinder, a firing pin associated with said plunger, and a fuel injector for injecting fuel to the inside of said movable cylinder forming a combustion chamber.

16. A. firearm as claimed in claim 15, comprising locking means for interlocking the plunger and the cylinder and a jacket for a cooling medium adjacent to the combustion chamber of the firearm.

17. A rearm as claimed in claim 15, comprising a cylinder closed at one end to form a compression chamber for the plunger, intake and outlet valves for a. cooling medium provided on said compression chamber, and a cooling jacket disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber of the firearmY and connected with said compression chamber to receive the compressed cooling medium therefrom.

18. A cartridge for firearms and the like, comprising a Shell and a projectile adapted to be ejected therefrom, said. shell containing a solid oxygen liberating compound, the major part of the rear of said shell being open, whereby the same is adapted to rapidly admit a combustible to said compound, the latter being provided with relatively large pores, whereby the said compound is capable of rapid mixture with a combustible admitted thereto.

I explosive charge disposed therein, ,of a cartridge disposed in said :firearm and comprising the second component of said explosive charge, said second component being of solid constitution, and means for combining the said two components inside the firearm to produce an explosive mixture.

21. The combination claimed in claim 6, in

which said combustible consists of gasoline.

E ROST. 

